TEST DRIVE;

[relationshits]

rip we were trash the end

Comments

[incelligent]

[It'd be a lie to say that Simon hadn't been eyeing the cute girl browsing the store at the time, as he's familiar with most of the regulars by now. He'd usually have gone over and given her his now well-rehearsed and overly chipper spiel, but when she walked into the store he found himself feeling shy, so all he uttered was a faint, "Welcome in!"

He had waved to her with the meekness of a grade-schooler. How embarrassing.

She finally comes to the checkout counter, and Simon offers her a smile as he rings her up. He finally takes a good look at the actual game she's buying, and perks up, a tad surprised.]

Oh, wow!

[Despite his love for violence, he's not one to play games that have too many jumpscares. Those are bad for his anxiety.]

This one's pretty spooky.

Is it for you, or...?

[A friend? A boyfriend?

She looks a little too cute to be playing these sorts of games, but.

Simon isn't who he appears to be either.]

i know ml doesnt have trees smh just... rip

[incelligent]

[The whole abduction and head shaving thing may not have been great, not one bit, especially for someone who had been through it all before, but in all honesty, Simon hasn't been doing so badly for himself so far.

He has secured an alliance between the few Displaced he trusts and, as much as he hates to admit it, it's nice to live in a house full of people who can carry a normal conversation and speak in full sentences. Not to mention, this is the first time in his life that not one but an entire group of people were willing to play Chambers and Centaurs, and since he was the only one who knew the rules, he got to lead.]

Hey, newbie!

[A barked command. Look who missed being in charge.]

When we're on expeditions like this, it's important to keep your eyes up and ears open. Keep your body movin'. One false step, and you'll be goin' so slow, the next thing y'know-

[Simon steps backwards and onto a branch, the crack sharp.]

Everyone'll have up and left without ya.

[The wind rustles through the leaves of the trees around them, and Simon hears another sound, followed the movement of a shadow-]

LOOK OUT!

ignore my icons for now ALWKJFJ

[careware]

[ if anyone is looking at Chihiro he's mostly doing his best to pretend it's not happening, otherwise he'll get way too nervous. But he can't help himself for wanting to come into a game shop! It's full of technology and nerdy things that he loves. And he had been hovering over the particular title in his hands for quite some time before he eventually came up to the counter and hands it over so he can pay.

Though he instantly begins to regret his decision... ]

Ah... I know. I-I think it might be too scary.

[ He will 100% cry about it. ]

But I've heard it's really something of a classic.

[ So he must endure?? Though he blushes, mild panic setting in about the fact he's about to be judged for buying video games for himself like a nerd. ]

It ... it is for me though.

plz ignore my thirst and think about ur HEALTH merry

[incelligent]

Oh!

[chihiro

do u see him]

Aha, I wouldn't have pegged ya for a horror gal, but hey! Everyone's got their secrets!

[As does he.]

I'm not here to judge. I'm more of a fantasy guy myself, though.

[Simon is the last person Chihiro will be receiving judgment from. Judging from his nasally voice, meek posture, and sadly unshaven face, he's one and the same if not even nerdier.]

If you're nervous about bein' in here, don't be. Girls come in and outta this place all the time.

[Most of them aren't nearly as cute, though. He'll keep that fact to himself.]

it does now that's all that matters

[careware]

[ All things considered, Chihiro could probably be doing worse for himself, so there is that.

Just the fact that he was able to find a niche of people he could relate to is a blessing in and of itself though! He'd been new to the Chambers and Centaurs world, but completely willing to learn and do his best. He just ... well. He expected to fall behind a little, being small and weak as he is.

The barked command gets a very instant reaction from him which is to cower like a frightened animal, but he nods his head just as quickly. ]

Y-yes! I'm sorry!

[ He'll pick up the pace, he'll pull his weight! He doesn't want to be left behind ...

Though apparently these very passionate thoughts of his distract him enough not to notice that quickly moving shadow. He won't have enough time to get fully out of the way. So he does the next best (???) thing, and curls himself up into the smallest possible shape that he can. ]

Kyaa!

IT'S FINE ICKI

[careware]

[ He sees but he does not perceive any problems outside of his own, don't worry. ]

I... I'm really not...

[ He doesn't know if he feels more like he's about to get buyer's remorse, or if he's just sad that he was found out that easily!! If he was a big strong scary dude, no one would have questioned him.

However, Simon bringing up fantasy is a nice distraction. ]

Oh, um- Do you have a favorite? I like sci-fi but fantasy is very interesting too..

[ He just looks awkward at the girls comment, but it's more guilt than anything. ]

I think I'd be nervous no matter what, actually ... d-don't worry about me.

[incelligent]

[Oh no. Chihiro may clearly be someone who is trying to get out of a bad situation, but Simon has little to no social awareness and a habit of prattling on about things that he loves.]

Heck yeah! My favorite's the Dragons of Beaureguard series, followed by the Legend of the Zorconian Eye. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a good ol' fashioned hero's quest.

[He chuckles. Why is he chuckling??? Does he actually feel confident? This is not allowed]

And hey, don't worry. It might be your first time in a store like this, but it can't be your first time steppin' outside, right?

[Simon hunches over the counter, mimicking a feigned whisper through hands that cup his mouth dramatically, like a speakerphone:]

Because it's totally mine.

And boy! Do I hate it here.

[incelligent]

What're you-

[Simon panics. In all fairness, this kind of behavior isn't that unfamiliar to him. He's been on many an expedition with a rookie Apex member, all of whom are small children. While it's frustrating to travel with a person who seems to slow the whole team down, it is his duty as a more experienced, err, whatever the fuck to rescue the newbie.

He's lucky Chihiro is light enough to be picked up and carried, though nothing about the gesture is graceful at all. In the nick of time, Simon manages to drag the smaller boy out of the way by yanking his collar. He then throws the kid over his left shoulder like a sack of rusty potatoes.]

Were you trying to die? Geez.

[careware]

[ But ... he's so glad to watch people gush about things they love. It's wholesome and good. ]

Ehehe, I haven't played those ones before. But hero quests are good too. You can save people, and get really strong!

[ He catches himself getting overly excited too, reeling it back a bit with a bright red blush. ]

S-sorry.

[ But also... oh. What. Is this guy being serious, is he okay, should Chihiro call for help— no! He's obviously joking about both going outside and hating it. ]

Mm, it's not my first time. I didn't get to go out a lot though when I was growing up. So now if I can ... I don't mind it.

[ Even if they're stuck in this jamjar place too I guess. ]

Um... are you alright though?

[careware]

[ Chihiro is expecting to get flattened or clobbered or something, but instead he's scooped up like potatoes...

It could be worse.

But he still yells in surprise as he's carted away. At least he's so distracted by this he can't cry about being yelled at yet.... ]

I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to get in the way. I was just ... I'm not very good at this, I know. If you w-want me to leave ....

[ For some reason he's not like in a hurry to protest about being carried away though. Chihiro pls.... your dignity ]

[incelligent]

[Oh no. Chihiro is blushing, which causes Simon to blush as well-]

Huh? Oh, pfft, yeah! I was j-just...

[His eyes dart nervously away as he rubs the back of his neck in a sheepish manner. He can feel the heat beneath his fingers and curses himself in his mind.]

I was just joking. Just joshin' with ya! Haha...

[Panicked, he picks up the game and finally makes a move to scan it, though he has to ask-]

Just this one, right? You sure you don't wanna max out on our buy two, get one free deal? I'm pretty sure the sale is only on games that are rated M, though.

[incelligent]

[YELLED WHILE RUNNING:]

Why on Earth would I ever want to leave you?

[The irony of Simon saying this is completely lost on him. He's not thinking, he's focusing on the threat at hand and trying to make his way back to safety.]

You've got a target on your chest and it glows! If they grab you they're gonna go after the rest of us too. Don't be stupid. Stop sayin' dumb stuff!

[Simon. Simon, you literally just said...

Anyway.]

[careware]

[ But if Simon blushes, Chihiro will just blush more? Why are they blushing!! ]

Oh...ehehe. O-of course! Well I'm glad you're okay.

[ He doesn't even know you but he's concerned about you. ]

Well, I honestly don't know if I'll even get the courage to play this one ... if they're all scary like this, I probably shouldn't buy them.

[careware]

[ Well, here come the tears. Even as he's being carted away. He can't help it when he's being yelled at...! Sorry Simon this is your problem now. ]

I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry. I'm just useless! I shouldn't be here...

[ More "sorries" follow, though they're more muffled and like a mantra than anything else. ]

Uuu....

[incelligent]

Shut up!

[Grace is the tender one. She is better with emotions, and usually, Simon is decent enough at keeping up a farce. He yells now, panting between breaths, eyes darting this way and that as he tries to scope out a safe hiding spot.

It doesn't seem as though they are being followed but he runs with all the and practice of someone who has done this before. A foot slides on an unsteady rock and Simon stumbles, though he catches himself before falling.

Shoulders heaving with each breath, he practically throws Chihiro down when they finally stop.]

Stop crying. Crying won't do you any good.

It only makes you seem weak.

[incelligent]

[...It's just going to be an an ongoing blushfest because Simon is still red.

Simon watches intently as Chihiro waffles between choices. Perhaps a little too intently. He notes that the other has big, beautiful eyes.

Oh, fuck, right. Communication.]

Are you sure you don't just wanna pick up somethin' like Critter Capture?

You get to construct little biomes for 'em and even customize the furniture. It's pretty cute.

[Unconsciously, Simon squeezes the joint of his left elbow with his right hand.]

At least, I think it's fun, anyway.

[careware]

[ Chihiro lands rather ungracefully (so if Simon gets a flash of the bloomers well that's his own problem). It hardly matters to him anyway, since he's busy cowering from how angry it sounds like Simon is. He's really gone and messed up hasn't he?

Of course what hurts the most is the affirmation that he's weak... ]

You're right... you're right. I'm just weak...

[ He hiccups, rubbing at his eyes. He's trying to stop because Simon ordered him to, but it's not working that well... ]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean it—

[careware]

[ Well RIP to them then...

He blinks a moment. ]

Eh? Oh... is that on sale too? That sounds good.. I-I like to create things.

[ He's very creative! And creating things is not as scary as zombies. ]

If there's a couple more games like that, maybe I can get the deal after all.

[incelligent]

[Simon glowers at Chihiro with an anger that simmers from within, though not quite for the reasons that the other may think.

He is, in part, irritated because this snivelly and snotty display reminds him of someone he'd like to forget. It pains him to think that this must've been what he looked like when Grace had saved him from the miserable maws of death, but eight years have passed and he has grown into an entirely different person. What Simon doesn't realize is that the part of himself that he has locked away has been chained in a deep, dark place along with the little things that made him human, kind, considerate even.

There was no place for consideration on the Infinity Train, not if he wanted to survive. Not beyond the expanse of the Apex.

Or so he thinks.]

I said seem.

[Chihiro's small stature, combined with his doe-like eyes and adorable disposition, do strike a chord in Simon's heart. He doesn't admit it yet, but he can relate whole-heartedly. He knows what it's like to feel afraid and still does.]

I'm going to touch your face.

[Simon leans in close, far too close for a normal person, but he's never been one to understand boundaries. In fact, it's how he and Grace confide in each other.

He grabs Chihiro's chin, angling it upwards so he can see the other's face better. While that action is rough and hardly considerate, what he's about to do next is far more gentle.

Simon's hands are gloved so as to prevent any unwanted effects from the empathy bond, but he grazes both thumbs sideways and over Chihiro's cheeks, taking it upon himself to physically brush the tears out of the way. Fingers softly brush and rub at wherever there is a damp spot. He hopes that the action itself will either comfort or steel his teammate, and doesn't cease until the vast majority of wetness has been removed from the area around the smaller boy's eyes.]

When you're in the middle of a battle, tears are only gonna make it harder to see. You got any combat experience, rookie?

[Simon sighs. This kid was something like... Your average highschool student, right? The kind of person he would have been if he wasn't destined for better things.]

Play any sports?

[incelligent]

Wait, really?

[They have that in common.]

Me too! It's, like, my favorite thing.

[Simon's most time consuming hobbies are crafting miniatures and working on his fantasy novels. Little worlds are his favorite things to build, because well, he has complete control over them.

Unlike people, or the future, or well...

Reality, for one thing.]

Um, they're not really on sale because they aren't rated M? But...

[Ugh, he's gonna get in trouble with the manager for this one.]

You could use my employee discount, if ya want? I'm, ahaha-

[thirsty/horny/repressed and rdy 2 lose his vcard]

Feelin' real generous all of a sudden.

[careware]

[ Chihiro is doing his absolute best to stop, but he's just really mad at himself at the moment. Mad for almost getting them both hurt, for being weak, for not learning his lesson even though he really wanted to try and be cool and strong.

He just really needs more practice.

Hearing Simon is going to touch his face is a brief distraction, but not one that gives him time to really do anything about it before those gloved fingers are already reaching for him. Big watery eyes blink up at Simon's face, fully questioning the gesture. ]

Eh? W--

[ Oh... that's actually very soft of him. The gloves don't feel great but they aren't horrible either. It does get him to stop producing more tears at least? Maybe not in the way Simon expected, but effective nonetheless. There is also just the fact that no one has really invaded his personal space so thoroughly before, Simon is so close Chihiro thinks he might be able to hear his heart hammering away in his tiny chest. ]

N-no combat experience. I-I don't even play any sports. I could never join the other kids.

[ He averts his eyes from his at that. He was too small, too fragile, too weak. It makes him feel ashamed that he'll probably be yelled about this manly failure as well. ]

I just got really into computers...it's not the same, I know. I'm sorry...

[careware]

Oh.. yes! I have a lot of creations, um... sometimes I just get carried away I guess.

[ Okay maybe he'll stop blushing in favor of being really excited he found someone with similar taste?? He even perks up a little.

That's what's great about creating your own virtual reality. Nobody to bully you, nobody to call you weak. No need to wear skirts.... ]

Aw, it really is only those types of games on sale. But I-I couldn't possibly use something like that! You don't have to! Not for someone like me...

[ It is very flattering but he doesn't want to do Bad Things and also Simon could lose his job which seems like it would be very sad. He digs out his wallet quickly. ]

I'm sure I can just get them both! O-or maybe I'll just put the scary one back after all.

[incelligent]

Oh, whoa! That's cool.

[And he means that, legitimately.]

So, you know how to like... Create algorithms and stuff? You must be really smart.

[Simon's voice actually grows warmer, softer, gentler still. Chihiro's touched a tender spot.]

And hey, that's okay! Before I met my friend Grace and became a part of this really awesome group called the Apex, I... Didn't really know how to do any of that stuff either.

[He laughs, rubbing the back of his neck. This next story is pretty embarrassing, but hey, it might help Chihiro out.]

Y'know, when I was a kid, my mom took me to the doctor because whenever I had to run in gym, I always got super outta breath. Turns out, I didn't even have asthma, I was just... Really bad at running.

[A beat. Wow, it really sucks to be a loser, huh.]

But I'm better now! And, you will be too.

You just need to work a little harder.

[Chihiro may have noticed, but running is actually Simon's specialty, along with climbing and scaling walls. The boy is fast, if a little clumsy.]

I can help you.

[incelligent]

Yeah, you could say the same thing about me. My room's chock full of mine.

[Oh man, Chihiro, Simon would feel the hell out of that.

In world one creates for themselves, there's no one to laugh at you.

You can always be the king.]

You really are wafflin' on this creepy one, huh?

[His tone is only lightly chiding, a tease.]

Why don'tcha just get a friend to play it with you? That'll probably make it a lot less scary.

[careware]

Eh...?

[ Cool? Did he just ... say it was cool after everything. If Chihiro wasn't already blushing furiously, he would be now. ]

Mm..I... I'm a computer programmer.

[ He won't toot his own horn by saying more. But yes. He sniffles a little as the tears gradually do come to a halt while Simon tells his story. Embarrassing or not, it helps??! ]

You don't look like you'd be bad at it at all... but I believe you.

[ Because he believes the best in everyone. But it's also very inspiring. ]

I-I'll do my best from now on. I'll work harder at it!